Hotels in Milan

Staying in Milan

Milan is a compact, well-organised city where the metro links the main districts in a few stops. The historic centre, around the Duomo and the Galleria, concentrates the boutiques, museums and most sought-after hotels. Around the central station and Porta Nuova, business hotels and modern towers welcome travellers on work trips or in transit to the lakes and the other cities of northern Italy. Brera and the Navigli, more intimate, appeal to those looking for narrow streets, café terraces and lively evenings.

Milan lives to the rhythm of its trade fairs and its fashion and design weeks: during those periods hotels fill up and rates climb across the whole city, even far from the exhibition halls. If your trip is not tied to them, shift your dates by a few days. Three airports serve the city, each with its own trains or shuttles: note which one is on your ticket before booking. Summer is hot and humid and winter often grey and foggy, so air conditioning or heating matters depending on the season.

Where to stay in Milan

• Duomo and the historic centre

  The heart of Milan, with the cathedral, the Galleria, the big brands and the museums on foot. Ideal for a short stay or a shopping weekend, with sometimes small rooms in old palazzi.

• Central station and Porta Nuova

  The transport crossroads: trains to the lakes, Turin or Venice, airport links and the metro. Business hotels and addresses at every level, practical but in an area with less charm in the evening.

• Brera and the Navigli

  Brera for its elegant lanes, galleries and restaurants; the Navigli for the canals and terraces that stay lively late. Two districts with character, to choose according to how much quiet you want.

• Fiera and Rho

  The trade-fair hub, linked to the centre by metro. Only useful if you are exhibiting at or visiting a fair; for sightseeing, the centre is more pleasant.

Good to know before you book

• Milan applies a city tax, as most Italian cities do: it is generally paid on the spot at the hotel rather than at booking, so allow for it in your budget.
• The centre is a restricted traffic zone: if you come by car, choose a hotel with parking outside that zone and get around by metro or tram.
• If you plan day trips to the lakes or other cities, staying near the central station or Cadorna station saves time every morning.

Questions about Milan

Frequently asked questions